GRIT - Gender Rights in Tech (Formerly Kwanele South Africa)’s Post

We’re Nominated in the Africa Tech Festival awards! 🎉 GRIT (Gender Rights in Tech) has been nominated for the prestigious AIconics Award in the Africa Tech Award category, alongside industry giants like Meta, Melio AI, Vox Solutions, and Vodacom. This recognition is in partnership with The AI Summit Cape Town, which celebrates breakthrough innovations in AI and technology that drive social progress. Our submission highlights Zuzi, our AI-powered chatbot developed to combat gender-based violence (GBV). Designed in collaboration with survivors, Zuzi offers legal guidance, emotional support, and resources to those in need, transforming access to justice across South Africa. With thousands of South Africans testing it, Zuzi is revolutionizing how AI can be a tool for social good. GRIT is empowering marginalized communities and revolutionizing how technology can address urgent societal issues. We are incredibly honoured to be recognized as a tech NGO alongside prestigious companies! 🙌 Please show your support and vote for GRIT here: https://lnkd.in/dYVSsFdE. Vote for GRIT 🙏 Let's continue driving change together! #AfricaTechAwards #AIforGood #GRIT #VoteNow #ethicalai #Techforgood #southafrica #nominate

Despite the barriers they face, most adolescent girls are hopeful for the future. Let's not let them down. The 2024 International United Nations Day of the Girl theme, ‘Girls’ vision for the future,’ reminds us of the urgent need to act while holding onto the persistent hope driven by the power of girls' voices. It echoes the vital message that girls are not just survivors of the challenges they face but are actively shaping their own futures with courage and hope. GRIT stands as one of their strongest allies—committed to listening, responding, and driving innovative solutions that empower girls and young women, ensuring their rights are protected. By investing in proven solutions developed by GRIT, from tech-based tools to direct survivor support, we can collectively amplify girls' voices and work toward a future where every girl can thrive without fear or limitations. We are calling on partners and donors to help us realize girls’ dreams, free from the shadow of GBV. You can help us start today. Reach out to shamryn@grit-gbv.org to begin a conversation that could be the visionary step toward the future of girls' dreams. Girls’ resilience and dreams deserve our full attention and support. With the right partnerships, we can achieve a world of respect, safety, and empowerment for all. It’s time to act, ensuring no girl is left behind. #InternationalDayoftheGirl #GirlsVisionForTheFuture #EmpowerHer #EndGBV #InvestInGirls #girlchild #support #donate #partner Leonora Sauls Lethabo Rampya Amnesty International Punki Modise FNB South Africa Deidre Vrede Lauren Budde Girl Effect UK South Africa Tech Hub

Today is #worldmentalhealthday and we are honouring every person navigating the intricate landscape of healing after GBV. Many survivors, those who work with them, and those who love them are suffering from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health disorders. Sexual assault/GBV can make it hard for survivors to exist in the world the way they did before. Trauma can jeopardise survivors’ sense of self, safety, and support which can all have negative and long-term consequences on their mental health. It’s important to understand that survivors navigate their healing path in diverse and individual ways. Recovery may involve ups and downs, progress and setbacks, all of which are valid experiences on the path to healing and growth. There are many ways to manage the mental health impact of GBV. Counselling, medication, self-care, and support groups can be helpful. Every day we salute all survivors. We see them, we hear them and we believe them. 📲 Download our free safety, reporting and evidence-storing app GRIT on Google Play or Apple Store to access our find support near me feature. 💙 Message us via our Whatsapp line at 0727378819 for legal advice/support. 🗣️ Head to our website at www.grit-gbv.org to reach out or DM us #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #powerful #endgbv #worldhealthday #mentalhealth #mentalhealth #education #awareness #endgbv #support #believesurvivor #mentalhealthmatters #mentellawarenessdays #gritapp #gritandgrace #techforgood #love #loveislove

"What makes your AI chatbot different?" At GRIT, we’ve always prioritized building tech with our communities, not just for them. The journey has been challenging—with hurdles like funding tech development as an NGO, tech literacy, and biases—but what sets Zuzi, our AI chatbot, apart is the time and care we've taken to co-create it alongside those who need it most. As we prepare to deploy Zuzi next year, we’re focused on ensuring it delivers accurate, judgment-free support to survivors of GBV. In communities where education and tech access are low, the stakes are high, and extensive testing is crucial to avoid causing harm. We deeply understand how accurate and accessible information changes lives, and with Zuzi, we believe we can support survivors and provide essential resources in new ways. We’re excited for what’s to come and remain committed to making a positive impact—responsibly. 💪🏽✨ #CoCreation #EthicalAI #Zuzi2025 #GRITInnovation #cocreate #update #techforgood #aiforgood #sneakpeak #Techngo

Survivors of domestic violence often face further punishment from their abusers even after leaving violent situations. Affluent abusers frequently weaponize the law, using custody battles to control and silence survivors. One survivor is currently fighting a system that her perpetrator twists to punish her for seeking justice. He uses her children as weapons, turning legal protections meant to safeguard survivors against her. 🚨 URGENT: We need your help! 🚨 We're looking for a pro bono Advocate/Attorney to support a survivor in her fight for justice. While her abuser can afford legal support, she needs assistance to navigate this battle. 🗓️ Court Date: Randburg Magistrates Court, 8th October 2024 📩 DM us or WhatsApp at 072 737 8819 if you can provide pro bono support. As a society, we must support survivors who leave abusive relationships by providing them with the resources to navigate legal battles and protect their children. #Help #ProBonoSupport #JusticeForSurvivors #Support #DomesticViolenceAwareness #SupportSurvivors #LegalAid #EndGBV #AdvocateForChange #CustodyRights #HelpSurvivors #TogetherForJustice #share Commissioner Advocate Thando Gumede Lawyers against Abuse (LvA) The Embrace Project (ZA) Leonora Tima

🌟 Last week, we had the privilege of participating in two Standard Chartered Change Days through We Make Change, for the third year in a row! 🌍 A HUGE thank you to the incredible Standard Chartered ChangeMakers who volunteered their time and expertise pro bono to support GRIT in taking our next steps. We’re also deeply grateful to We Make Change for always amplifying our cause and facilitating support from all over the world. It was inspiring to see so many impact-driven startups involved, all working together to create positive change! We were thrilled to be part of this movement for good once again. 💪✨ #MakeChangeDay #ChangeMakers #ImpactStartups #GRIT #volunteer #volunteering #remote #StandardChartered #WeMakeChange #Collaboration #YearThree

Be a Zuzi Changemaker in Pietermaritzberg! 🔎‼️ Calling all tech-savvy young minds (ages 16-25): Do you dream of creating real-world impact? Are you proficient in South African languages and youth culture? Join the Zuzi Advisory Committee on 12 October 2024. Zuzi is our innovative AI chatbot designed to provide simplified and accessible support to survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. We need your unique voice to help us build a dataset that speaks directly to young people, using language that feels friendly, familiar, and approachable. This is your chance to: ⭕ Directly contribute to the development of Zuzi’s data foundation, ensuring its effectiveness for GBV survivors. ⭕ Help craft Zuzi’s voice, making it relatable and supportive for its target audience. ⭕ Be part of a team working towards a crucial social cause. Join us if you: ⏺ Are between the ages of 16-25 and are computer literate. ⏺ Are based in PMB and speak at least one South African language fluently and understand youth slang. ⏺ Are passionate about supporting survivors of GBV and creating ethical AI solutions. ⏺ Are eager to collaborate with a dynamic team. 💙 Send a short video message to 072 737 8819 on WhatsApp by 12 pm October 7th 2024. We can’t wait to hear from you! Share with your network to help us build a future where technology supports survivors. #BeAZuziChangemaker #PaidYouthTech #EndGBVTogether #endgbv #southafrica #kzn #EmpoweringSurvivors #AIforGood #EthicalAI #ChatbotDevelopment #techforgood #technology #opportunity #share #postoftheday #Reachout #share #youthskills Incema NPO

This international non-violence day, we are calling to end femicide and high levels of gender-based violence. Far too many victims of femicide die with protection orders in their handbags, a heartbreaking reminder that our systems aren’t protecting them. Victim-blaming narratives and ineffective law enforcement contribute to this tragedy, while the cycle of violence continues unchecked. We can’t remain silent. Society must take bold action to foster a culture of care, accountability, and justice. ℹ️ Here’s where we can begin: 🗣️Challenge Victim-Blaming Attitudes: Silence those who blame survivors. Non-violence starts with ending violence and upholding respect, understanding, and empathy. 🗣️Hold the Justice System Accountable: Push for stronger enforcement of protection orders and laws. The right to safety must be upheld. 🗣️Increase Access to Services: Provide resources and services that offer early intervention to prevent violence from escalating. Non-violence means ensuring help is available before it's too late. Let’s commit to building a future where love is grounded in peace, not fear, and where everyone has the right to live free from violence. Non-violence is not passive—it’s an active choice to create a safer world for all. #nonviolenceday #nonviolent #endgbv #endviolence #endgbv #challenge #future #justice #action #humanrights #southafrica Soul City Institute Amnesty International South Africa